As a current local resident in Cherry Hill, and deeply concerned about the safety of our fellow residents, especially our children and our pedestrians, I urge our township to implement traffic calming measures on S. Birchwood Dr. Traffic calming, as defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), is the combination of measures that help reduce the negative impacts of motor vehicle use, while significantly improving safety and conditions for non-motorized street users.

Our local neighborhood streets should be safe and encouraging for outdoor pursuits, not a cause for concern. Currently, unlike safe, calm neighborhoods, S. Birchwood Dr. lacks the necessary infrastructure to control the speed and volume of vehicular traffic. The risk this creates for accidents, particularly involving pedestrians, is alarmingly high.

To illustrate the urgency of the problem, let's consider national statistics: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019, 6,205 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the United States. That means one pedestrian was killed every 85 minutes.

Therefore, we need to strongly encourage the implementation of traffic calming measures, not only to abide by the general objectives set out by ITE but, above all, to protect our community members, especially the most vulnerable such as children and the elderly. From speed reduction measures like speed bumps and road narrowing, to enhancing pedestrian infrastructure with improved crosswalks, these methods can drastically reduce the potential for tragic accidents.

Let's unite as a community and help Cherry Hill become a safer neighborhood. Please join us in urging the Cherry Hill township to prioritize traffic calming measures in our vicinity. Sign this petition today and make a difference in our community's safety and well-being.